Young People’s Chorus of New York City’s Virtual Benefit Gala Drew Big Stars, Worldwide Audience and Raised over $1 Million to Support Its Year-Round Programs Benefiting 2,000 Children in New York City and Beyond
Josh Groban, Lang Lang, Michael Imperioli, Norm Lewis, Aneesa Folds and Nearly 600 YPC Young Artists Shined at May 10 Fundraiser
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK (May 19, 2021) – The world-renowned Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) held its annual benefit gala on Monday, May 10, 2021, raising over $1 million to support the organization’s year-round programs that benefit 2,000 children in New York City and beyond. In addition to its New York audience, the event received worldwide attention including guests from Hong Kong, Russia, Canada, Spain, Italy, Germany, Australia and more. Highlights of the night included Grammy, Tony and Emmy Award-nominated singer, songwriter and actor Josh Groban singing “The Impossible Dream” with YPC choristers; famed pianist Lang Lang speaking to the importance of YPC’s programs; the debut of singer/songwriter Nate Sabat’s “Fearless Angel” video which was created through YPC’s Just Songs commissioning program; a preview of YPC’s upcoming The Canon Project; fun skits including Emmy Award-winning actor, writer and director Michael Imperioli, Broadway and film actor and singer Norm Lewis and Broadway actress, singer and YPC alum Aneesa Folds; and a vast range of new choral arrangements sung by over 600 YPC choristers. The event was generously sponsored by Mastercard and Palmer’s Skin and Hair Care.
Celebrated for medal-winning performances all over the world, YPC is one of the most highly acclaimed choruses in the world and its 2021 Virtual Gala gave viewers an engaging and inspiring look at YPC’s groundbreaking program that is internationally renowned for its innovative diversity model and artistic excellence.
Funds raised at the gala benefit all of YPC’s many initiatives, including its acclaimed School Choruses Program, which was created to bring YPC’s award-wining choral curriculum to New York City public schools; its Core Program, which encompasses after-school rehearsals led by YPC-trained conductors and professional accompanists and includes chorus performances throughout the year; its Community Choruses initiative, an extension of its after-school choral programming that is brought directly to diverse neighborhoods in the greater New York City area; and its College Bound program which provides academic and college application support, as well as funding for college scholarships.
For more information about YPC, please visit ypc.org.
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About Young People’s Chorus of New York City
The Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) is a multicultural youth chorus internationally renowned for its superb virtuosity, brilliant showmanship, and innovative model of diversity. Founded by Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez, a MacArthur Fellow and Musical America’s 2018 Educator of the Year, YPC’s mission and values are deeply rooted in providing children of all cultural and economic backgrounds with a unique program of music education and choral performance. YPC is committed to empowering our youth and providing pathways to success through the arts so that each child, no matter what race, gender, socioeconomic background, or religion can reach their full potential. Among YPC’s many awards is America’s highest honor for youth programs, a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, which was presented to members of YPC at the White House. Under the direction of YPC’s Associate Artistic Director, Elizabeth Núñez, YPC also earned the distinction of “Choir of the World” in July 2018 at the International Choral Kathaumixw (Powell River, British Columbia), marking the first time a North American chorus has ever won this title in the 34-year history of Kathaumixw. www.ypc.org
MEDIA CONTACTS: Pati Poblete, Laura Gigounas, Danyelle Simpkins and Juliona Miller at Glodow Nead Communications, 415-394-6500 or YPCPR@glodownead.com.